think I'm gonna do some seahorses and/or pipefish

[anaya]

I have been doing some research on my own. I'm at a decision making point but would like to hear some first hand experiences. What I have to work with is a 30gal tank that has been up and running for an estimated 18-20 months. I used it as a grow out tank for my Fimbriated moray who now resides in his permanent home. I have low to moderate T-5 HO lighting. I ordered 3 different types of macro algae and the LFS near me ordered 3 more types none being calerpa. I have 40 lbs of LR, closed loop system that draws from an internal overflow and a HOB filter rated for a 100gal tank. A 4"-8" sand bed.

My questions are:
1) What is a good starter seahorse?

2) Is it possible to put a Bluestripe pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus) or should I just go with seahorse only?

3) What type of pod/coepods in a bottle should I use to seed the tank? I do have med. sized rubble piles and then the macro areas for them to propagate and hopefully thrive.

4) Could I put only 2 dragonfaced pipes in the tank or is it flat out to small of a tank?

Any help will be greatly appreciated

 

[anaya]

Any info at all towards my goal?

 

[amazo]

1-erectus 2-seahorse only 3-any 4-pipefish are not my thing

 

[rayjay]

I agree.
1/erectus
2/species only tank, either seahorses or pipefish, not both
3/any of the larger type copepods as most seahorses don't bother will small food. Also, small food needs too much to do anything. Mysids are excellent.
4/I haven't researched pipefish enough to comment.

 

[anaya]

amazo, rayjay, thank you both for your input.

If I do decide to do this, it will be Erectus in a species only or the dragonface in species only. Found a article last night that warns of the pathogens carried by other species of the same family and the problems that can arise. It also stated that Erectus would be the best starter.

Thinking I will be ordering the Tisbe pods and some live misid shrimp to seed tank. I will be leaving the pods and shrimp alone in tank for six weeks to allow time for the populations to stabilize.

Every thing I have read speaks of housing the SH's in pairs. Is it ok to only have one to start with, then add another in due time (When and if I think I am ready)? Or do the SH's only do well in pairs?

My other main issue is that if I use the HOB skimmer I have I can't seem to to figure out how to stop micro bubbles from entering the water column. Can I make up for not using the skimmer by doing more water changes?

Also I have no chiller(can not afford one as of now) but I keep my house at 68 degrees year round. My tanks stay around 73+/- 1 degree with out the heaters (learned this while cycling all my tanks). I know that the risk of disease is higher if the temp goes above 75 so please be honest while answering this next question.
Should I not attempt a species tank of this type until I acquire a chiller?

Thanks again

 

[rayjay]

I don't use a chiller.
While seahorses can be kept by themselves they do better in pairs or more.
Populations of the pods and mysids will take longer than 6 weeks to increase the density to anything meaningful.
I used to culture mysids and it would take close to 3 months to get them to adult size.
You may also find that the population will be quickly decimated by the seahorses or pipe fish. What remains will still provide a quality boost to their main menu of frozen mysis.
I don't worry about microbubbles myself.
I use open ended air lines in each tank for extra water movement.
I don't currently have skimmers on any of my seahorse tanks.

 

[cindyoc]

I don't worry about microbubbles myself.
I use open ended air lines in each tank for extra water movement.
I don't currently have skimmers on any of my seahorse tanks.

Rayjay: I appreciate your advice, because you sound very successful with your seahorse tank. Considering my knowledge is coming from my LFS, Forum Boards and websites, and reading, I am very interested in understanding your tank philosophy as described above. Thanks. Appreciate it. I want to be successful with my seahorse husbandry

 

[cindyoc]

Also Rayjay, can you give me your website address?

 

[rayjay]

Don't let my postings fool you. I have had my share of problems in this hobby, and still do from time to time.
I've been studying seahorse keeping since 02 and it was years after that when I finally attempted, mainly because of lack of availability of true captive bred in Canada.
Now, I've lost some of my first successes and can't replace them as Seahorse Sanctuary the bred them is no longer functioning.
Now I'm down to reidi, comes, and erectus.
RAY'S REEF
I need to point out that you should always get your information from multiple sources. My ways are sometimes a bit different than others, not necessarily the only nor the best ways, just what I've found works best for me.

 

[mtc1966]

i agree 1 pr of erectus would be best. lots of great info from rayjay but like he said also use other sources . the one thing he prefers that i dont is a bare bottom tank. i prefer all the extra life in the sand and have seen my erectus eating things like spaghetti worms from the sand.
good luck and keep us posted

 

[crabbygirl]

I too would go with erectus. I prefer to go a species only tank for the health of my seahorses. It sounds like your tank should be well seeded by now and you'll want your horses eating frozen mysis. so I wouldn't bother with seeding. Add them both at once due to the fact that they don't like being alone. If you aren't interested in dealing with the fry, I would go two males or two females.